Optimum number of wind turbines customer-side in the state of Kansas using HOMER
Abstract
This research primarily is in finding the optimum number of wind turbines in the state of
Kansas customer-side. Three different areas, with different annual average wind speeds in
Kansas were studied: South Kansas, Wichita and Topeka, with decreasing annual wind speeds
respectively. Various other factors such as different customer load demands, implementation of
carbon taxes and a range of power prices were part of the study. Research was simulated using
HOMER program, which was developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. It was
found that not only an increase in wind speed but size of load will increase the optimum number
of wind turbines. The addition of carbon taxes prove very useful in determining the economic
viability of having wind turbines in an optimal power system. A small study on the addition of
battery storage in a wind system was confirmed to have no substantial effect on it.
This thesis ultimately provides concrete values on the economic viability of having wind
turbines in small energy systems.
Description
Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science